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Martin Scorsese recommended Paisan (Paisà) (1948) in Movies (curated)
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Mary Magdalene (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Set in the Holy Land in the first century C.E., a young woman leaves her small fishing village and traditional family behind to join a radical new social movement. At its head is a charismatic leader, Jesus of Nazareth, who promises that the world is changing.
I don't know what I was expecting from Mary Magdalene to be honest with you. It chugged along at a pace and the two hours I was in the cinema didn't feel that long... but at the same time I was particularly entertained by any of it.
Yet another movie being chastised online for not being accurate... it is a movie... not a documentary... get a grip. I'm giving this one star because you can't deny how stunning the settings are. But the rest left me a little underwhelmed. I personally wouldn't have recommended that Jesus be played as if he was stoned... but each to their own I guess.
I don't know what I was expecting from Mary Magdalene to be honest with you. It chugged along at a pace and the two hours I was in the cinema didn't feel that long... but at the same time I was particularly entertained by any of it.
Yet another movie being chastised online for not being accurate... it is a movie... not a documentary... get a grip. I'm giving this one star because you can't deny how stunning the settings are. But the rest left me a little underwhelmed. I personally wouldn't have recommended that Jesus be played as if he was stoned... but each to their own I guess.
Awix (3310 KP) rated What We Do In The Shadows (2014) in Movies
Jun 10, 2020
Mockumentary about vampires living in modern-day New Zealand manages to mix darkness, pathos, and a huge amount of silliness with surprisingly effective results. Excitement builds as the premier undead social event of the year approaches, but apart from the everynight realities of vampire existence - finding prey, looking good without a mirror, doing the washing-up - the documentary subjects have other concerns, such as new vampires in their turf, a pack of mild-mannered werewolves, and their various exes.
Takes the horror element just seriously enough not to feel completely frivolous, and there are many references to and spoofs of other bits of vampire lore. Nevertheless, largely powered along by another energetic comic performance from Taika Waititi, although the rest of the ensemble is also good. Polished production and pretty good effects too, given the low budget (that's modern computers for you I guess). Not exactly ground-breaking stuff but consistently amusing.
Takes the horror element just seriously enough not to feel completely frivolous, and there are many references to and spoofs of other bits of vampire lore. Nevertheless, largely powered along by another energetic comic performance from Taika Waititi, although the rest of the ensemble is also good. Polished production and pretty good effects too, given the low budget (that's modern computers for you I guess). Not exactly ground-breaking stuff but consistently amusing.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness in TV
Mar 31, 2020 (Updated Mar 31, 2020)
Tiger King is a true story. That in itself is an absurd thought. The story of Joe Exotic and his self built zoo, housing no less than 227 live tigers is something I never knew I wanted to hear until it was too late.
This well put together documentary took approximately 15 minutes to draw me in, and before I knew it, I had watched the whole thing.
The story in question revolves around Joe's constant rivalry and back-and-forth lawsuits with Carole Baskin, and her Big Cat Rescue sanctuary. It doesn't take long for everything to escalate to dangerous silliness, and the show documents Joe's eventual incarceration, where he is still residing currently.
This deep look into this cult like practice is fascinating to say the least. Some, including me, will argue that wild animals bred in captivity purely for profit is cruel, but it's genuinely difficult to see Joe Exotic as a bad person. His heart seems in the right place, and its sad to see him get so caught up in the money side of things, to the point where his intentions start to stray.
On the flip side, Carole Baskin on the surface doesn't agree with these kind of zoos and aims to rescue these animals, but in reality, she is still turning profit and her sanctuary is arguably just as bad.
These characters that we meet throughout all have layers and secrets, and ensures that the narrative being told through archive footage and interviews never stops throwing curve balls, as what starts as an animal park feud, devolves into embezzlement, attempted murder, suicide, missing persons, million-dollar legal battles... It's honestly hectic.
I'm incredibly interested to see what happens as a result of this series, and I personally don't think Joe will be incarcerated for too much longer.
The limited series could have benefited from losing an episode I feel, as it did drag a little towards the end, but overall, Tiger King is a fantastic documentary that's edited and put together to draw you in, and not let go.
This well put together documentary took approximately 15 minutes to draw me in, and before I knew it, I had watched the whole thing.
The story in question revolves around Joe's constant rivalry and back-and-forth lawsuits with Carole Baskin, and her Big Cat Rescue sanctuary. It doesn't take long for everything to escalate to dangerous silliness, and the show documents Joe's eventual incarceration, where he is still residing currently.
This deep look into this cult like practice is fascinating to say the least. Some, including me, will argue that wild animals bred in captivity purely for profit is cruel, but it's genuinely difficult to see Joe Exotic as a bad person. His heart seems in the right place, and its sad to see him get so caught up in the money side of things, to the point where his intentions start to stray.
On the flip side, Carole Baskin on the surface doesn't agree with these kind of zoos and aims to rescue these animals, but in reality, she is still turning profit and her sanctuary is arguably just as bad.
These characters that we meet throughout all have layers and secrets, and ensures that the narrative being told through archive footage and interviews never stops throwing curve balls, as what starts as an animal park feud, devolves into embezzlement, attempted murder, suicide, missing persons, million-dollar legal battles... It's honestly hectic.
I'm incredibly interested to see what happens as a result of this series, and I personally don't think Joe will be incarcerated for too much longer.
The limited series could have benefited from losing an episode I feel, as it did drag a little towards the end, but overall, Tiger King is a fantastic documentary that's edited and put together to draw you in, and not let go.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Painter And The Thief (2020) in Movies
Oct 23, 2020
After seeing the trailer for this one I was intrigued to see how the subject was handled in this format.
Barbora Kysilkova's prized paintings have been stolen from a gallery, the culprits were not careful and are soon picked up by the police. But all investigations come back empty handed and the two paintings may never resurface. Barbora is interested to meet one of the men responsible for her loss and soon an unlikely friendship begins between the two of them. As their lives become even more entwined we follow their path through troubles and redemption.
The documentary is split into two main parts, first we follow the painter as she uncovers whatever she can about the crime in an attempt to recover the pieces. The second follows out thief and the struggles of his life. Each side of the story shows very different ways of existing, but as it evolves you make surprising discoveries about them both that open your eyes to how reality is sometimes hidden underneath a persona we project.
We're treated to an enlightening journey with the way the narrative is laid out, and it's one that's almost impossible not to react to. Everything from the simple frustrations, to fear and worry, shows through as the connection between them grows, it feels more and more... uncomfortable. This is actually addressed by Barbora's boyfriend and it seems only evident to us and him that it's all a little nuts. At the end I was particularly shocked by the outcome.
Overall I had expected to see more about the crime itself, and in what I'd seen leading up to this it felt like it was bigger, but the crime actually comes across as quite unexceptional. That leaves us with a documentary that's much more focused on human fascination and curiosity, and in my opinion, how that can turn into an unhealthy obsession. While the second half feels more engaging, it was a bit of a slog getting to that. As a piece about human nature it's interesting, but when presented with something involving a crime I'm much more interested in seeing that than anything else.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-painter-thief-movie-review.html
Barbora Kysilkova's prized paintings have been stolen from a gallery, the culprits were not careful and are soon picked up by the police. But all investigations come back empty handed and the two paintings may never resurface. Barbora is interested to meet one of the men responsible for her loss and soon an unlikely friendship begins between the two of them. As their lives become even more entwined we follow their path through troubles and redemption.
The documentary is split into two main parts, first we follow the painter as she uncovers whatever she can about the crime in an attempt to recover the pieces. The second follows out thief and the struggles of his life. Each side of the story shows very different ways of existing, but as it evolves you make surprising discoveries about them both that open your eyes to how reality is sometimes hidden underneath a persona we project.
We're treated to an enlightening journey with the way the narrative is laid out, and it's one that's almost impossible not to react to. Everything from the simple frustrations, to fear and worry, shows through as the connection between them grows, it feels more and more... uncomfortable. This is actually addressed by Barbora's boyfriend and it seems only evident to us and him that it's all a little nuts. At the end I was particularly shocked by the outcome.
Overall I had expected to see more about the crime itself, and in what I'd seen leading up to this it felt like it was bigger, but the crime actually comes across as quite unexceptional. That leaves us with a documentary that's much more focused on human fascination and curiosity, and in my opinion, how that can turn into an unhealthy obsession. While the second half feels more engaging, it was a bit of a slog getting to that. As a piece about human nature it's interesting, but when presented with something involving a crime I'm much more interested in seeing that than anything else.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-painter-thief-movie-review.html
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Out of the Shadows (2017) in Movies
Oct 8, 2017
Lots of jumping out of your seat
So the story is flimsy and it seems like a seriously low budget production, plus the documentary style horror has been done to death (excuse the pun) - so expect a lot of cheap thrills.
The premise of this film begins with a ghost hunter who was haunted by his mistake of leaving his friend inside of an asylum after being chased by ghosts. He is then approached again some years later to return to the scene of the crime to find out what happened there.
No doubt, I did keep having to distract myself with my phone in order to avoid keep jumping out of my seat. The main poltergeist /demon in question is more than slightly creepy but there was too much of a mish mash of horror stories. From Blair Witch, The Grudge to The Quiet Ones, all of which did a lot better with the genre. So if you want to see a life-changing film, this isn't it.
The premise of this film begins with a ghost hunter who was haunted by his mistake of leaving his friend inside of an asylum after being chased by ghosts. He is then approached again some years later to return to the scene of the crime to find out what happened there.
No doubt, I did keep having to distract myself with my phone in order to avoid keep jumping out of my seat. The main poltergeist /demon in question is more than slightly creepy but there was too much of a mish mash of horror stories. From Blair Witch, The Grudge to The Quiet Ones, all of which did a lot better with the genre. So if you want to see a life-changing film, this isn't it.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Schindler's List (1993) in Movies
May 16, 2018
Should be able to give this a 15
I remember reading and hearing about this film in 1993 before its release thinking "Wow, Spielberg made another movie this year besides Jurassic Park" and not having much confidence. It didn't open wide for me until January of 1994, so I had to wait.
The film ended up being unbelievable, breathtaking, emotional, inspirational, epic and a must watch for everyone. I know a lot of people watch in school these days. While I'm glad they are seeing, watching among other teenagers while broken up into 40 minute segments is not the way to go.
I always see different details when I have gone back and rewatched which makes the film even greater. I remember seeing a documentary a few years ago where they talked to relatives of German Nazi officers and they had talked to a descendant of Amon Goeth who wouldn't stop crying. I can't even even imagine having that type of ancestry within your family.
Needless to say, you must watch Schindler's List. Please say you will.
The film ended up being unbelievable, breathtaking, emotional, inspirational, epic and a must watch for everyone. I know a lot of people watch in school these days. While I'm glad they are seeing, watching among other teenagers while broken up into 40 minute segments is not the way to go.
I always see different details when I have gone back and rewatched which makes the film even greater. I remember seeing a documentary a few years ago where they talked to relatives of German Nazi officers and they had talked to a descendant of Amon Goeth who wouldn't stop crying. I can't even even imagine having that type of ancestry within your family.
Needless to say, you must watch Schindler's List. Please say you will.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in Movies
May 5, 2019
Extremely Woeful, shockingly rubbish and boring!!
Just watched 'extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile'...utter garbage. It's from Liz's perspective but is historically inaccurate and just completely boring. If you didnt know the story you would think Bundy was innocent until the end. They dont show any of the murders and it's just bizarre. You've got arguably one of the worlds sickest psychopaths, serial killers and necrophiles and dont even go into details of the murders let alone show them. It would be like titanic but not showing the sinking! Zac Efron is really good and in the court room scenes hes excellent but that's just copying previously recorded stuff. A real opportunity would have been to see Efron using his skills during the killings. Joe Berlinger is best known as a documentarian and I have loved his previous work but this felt like a cheaply done documentary reenactment and unfortunately shows his limitations. So disappointed and a total waste of Efron's talent and the subject matter.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated The Act in TV
May 13, 2019
Loving this wont be an Act!
I had heard of the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case so I had an idea of the story heading into this however i didnt know everything and this show was AMAZING!! It tells the story of Gypsy Rose, a wheelchair bound young girl with many different life threatening illnesses and her mum Dee Dee as they move into a new charity built house. By the end of the first episode Dee Dee is dead and Gypsy is missing. The series is the story of what lead to this incident and all is not as it seems. The performances are amazing. Patricia Arquette was almost unrecognisable as Dee Dee - I didnt even realise it was her till ep 3! However the star of the show is Joey King as Gypsy Rose. She completely becomes Gypsy and is simply amazing. After watching this I watched the HBO documentary 'mummy dead and dearest' and its scary how much King looks, sounds and acts like Gypsy. Truly awesome
Awix (3310 KP) rated Three Identical Strangers (2018) in Movies
Dec 6, 2018 (Updated Dec 6, 2018)
Typically arresting so-weird-it-must-be-true documentary from the distributors of Blackfish, Dinosaur 13 and Life Animated. In 1980 a young man from New York arrives at college to be told he is the spitting image of someone who was there the year before: it turns out they were both adopted and share the same birthday - long lost brothers! The publicity turns up a third identical brother. The triplets instantly become minor celebrities on the NYC scene, but darker questions about their story soon surface...
A remarkable story, told by the surviving participants - lighter moments of uplifting human interest are soon subsumed by the stuff of an X-Files episode (well, close enough). You could very well argue that the film's narrative is rather selectively framed for maximum impact, and its attempts to address wider issues such as the question of nature vs nurture aren't really as effective as the story of the triplets. But still a gripping, thought-provoking, rather unsettling story that deserves to be better known.
A remarkable story, told by the surviving participants - lighter moments of uplifting human interest are soon subsumed by the stuff of an X-Files episode (well, close enough). You could very well argue that the film's narrative is rather selectively framed for maximum impact, and its attempts to address wider issues such as the question of nature vs nurture aren't really as effective as the story of the triplets. But still a gripping, thought-provoking, rather unsettling story that deserves to be better known.